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In some, ways, it seems like Yvon's trying to undo the damage Patagonia did in its earlier days. Like... some sort of good act to absolve it and him of his "env

In some, ways, it seems like Yvon's trying to undo the damage Patagonia did in its earlier days. Like... some sort of good act to absolve it and him of his "environmental sins". But, this is too shallow, and too pessimistic, to be true. YC is a bouldering and climbing luminary. He put up some hard climbs and boulder problems, some right in LA (Chouinard's Hole at Stoney point comes to mind, but it's an easy, fun one). His attitudes have permeated down into the bones of climbing culture today. It's a "nut up or shut up" kinda sport. Maybe that's why it attracted him. As another commenter said, he smithed his own tools and hardware. Little known fact: the company Black Diamond was created by a group of people that bought the department from YC/Patagonia as it transitioned to soft goods more. It's awesome that he's still around, fighting the good fight, trying to save our little globe. It's awesome that he's transitioning his company to ever more sustainable practices; and pushing suppliers to do the same. I can see it in other outdoor gear companies, too. They've seen what Patagooch is doing and they're jumping on the bandwagon. Sustainability has never been sexier. Just check out REI's website. They're hardcore pushing these principles, too. Interesting, too, that the outdoor industries are rapidly growing. I also think it's great that YC and Patagonia are unabashedly involving themselves in politics. It's great to see a company...well, "nut up or shut up" regarding climate change. Glad they're putting money where their mouth is trying to oust climate-change-obstructionist republicans. If only they still made climbing hardware. I'd buy it just to see my money go towards good causes, like getting republicans out of office.

pfranz 7y ago
> In some, ways, it seems like Yvon's trying to undo the damage Patagonia did in its earlier days. Like... some sort of good act to absolve it and him of his "environmental sins". I don't know too much outside of reading his book (which is, of course, biased), but it sounds like very early on (before Patagonia was founded) is when he had a change of heart. Wikipedia quotes, "Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons comprised 70 percent of his income." Unless you're talking about something else?
- saiya-jin 7y ago
  Exactly what I wanted to ask... he is super cool guy who achieved so much. Using pitons was considered normal till maybe 70s, I wouldn't cast every single climber of those times as 'sinner' since by that optic you can blame all the mankind till now for this or that. Times have changed, camming equipment developed (which simply didn't exist before so walls would be unclimbable without pitons). They were just climbing with whatever was possible. Actually climbers were one of the first pioneers of ecological and sustainable approach to nature, not only because they lived on shoestring. Once you get into these sports and experience it regularly, you realize how important and awesome it all is for us.
- wcarron 7y ago
  No, not talking about pitons. That was what climbing was. When climbers like Yvon realized the damage it was causing, new forms of protection were invented, like spring-loaded camming devices and metal chocks that could be removed and caused almost no damage. Him pivoting when he learned is the only thing he could do. I was talking more about building products from petroleum based fibers and whatnot. Calling them a "sin" is a stretch, but I couldn't think of another phrase.
  - pfranz 7y ago
    Thanks for clarifying. I'm not sure if there was a specific incident where he changed, but he does seem well aware any company with millions in revenue isn't without blame. He also recognizes that preserving the environment is in the best interest of Patagonia. In the book he contrasts the culture of US climbers with European ones back then; Europeans focused on conquering nature (climbing tall mountains), while the US had advocates like John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Robert Frost focusing on being in nature. It does seem like his awareness of the long-term damage has been long-standing. Patagonia started with importing rugby shirts because of their durability, environmental tithing started in the 80s, and the push for more sustainable materials in the 90s (with the realization it takes heavy involvement in the supply chain to carry out and enforce). Along the way he talks about repurposing old buildings instead (and adopting their quirks) of building new and actively encouraging repairs instead of replacing garments.

pfranz 7y ago

> In some, ways, it seems like Yvon's trying to undo the damage Patagonia did in its earlier days. Like... some sort of good act to absolve it and him of his "environmental sins". I don't know too much outside of reading his book (which is, of course, biased), but it sounds like very early on (before Patagonia was founded) is when he had a change of heart. Wikipedia quotes, "Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons comprised 70 percent of his income." Unless you're talking about something else?

saiya-jin 7y ago
Exactly what I wanted to ask... he is super cool guy who achieved so much. Using pitons was considered normal till maybe 70s, I wouldn't cast every single climber of those times as 'sinner' since by that optic you can blame all the mankind till now for this or that. Times have changed, camming equipment developed (which simply didn't exist before so walls would be unclimbable without pitons). They were just climbing with whatever was possible. Actually climbers were one of the first pioneers of ecological and sustainable approach to nature, not only because they lived on shoestring. Once you get into these sports and experience it regularly, you realize how important and awesome it all is for us.
wcarron 7y ago
No, not talking about pitons. That was what climbing was. When climbers like Yvon realized the damage it was causing, new forms of protection were invented, like spring-loaded camming devices and metal chocks that could be removed and caused almost no damage. Him pivoting when he learned is the only thing he could do. I was talking more about building products from petroleum based fibers and whatnot. Calling them a "sin" is a stretch, but I couldn't think of another phrase.
- pfranz 7y ago
  Thanks for clarifying. I'm not sure if there was a specific incident where he changed, but he does seem well aware any company with millions in revenue isn't without blame. He also recognizes that preserving the environment is in the best interest of Patagonia. In the book he contrasts the culture of US climbers with European ones back then; Europeans focused on conquering nature (climbing tall mountains), while the US had advocates like John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Robert Frost focusing on being in nature. It does seem like his awareness of the long-term damage has been long-standing. Patagonia started with importing rugby shirts because of their durability, environmental tithing started in the 80s, and the push for more sustainable materials in the 90s (with the realization it takes heavy involvement in the supply chain to carry out and enforce). Along the way he talks about repurposing old buildings instead (and adopting their quirks) of building new and actively encouraging repairs instead of replacing garments.